268 THE FLORIST. 



sort of irregular flower-garden, which is a most excellent connecting 

 link between the terrace-garden and the pleasure-grounds. There are 

 a great many of the best kinds of Hoses in this garden, which have 

 been very grand this season. There are also some very good raised 

 flower-beds here. Among them there is an oval raised two feet above 

 the Grass ; it is made of Larch poles driven into the ground ; these 

 are all covered with Ivy. The white Ivy-leaved Geranium is used for 

 the outside border (and which hangs nearly to the Grass) ; next this a 

 dark-coloured Calceolaria for the second border, then yellow Calceolaria, 

 then scarlet Geraniums, then Ageratum mexicanum, and for the centre 

 scarlet Salvias, the whole forming a very effective and pleasing bed. 

 There are several mixed masses in this garden, which are very good. 



The pleasure-grounds, which are extensive, varied, and very beau- 

 tiful, contain many fine specimens of trees and shrubs ; the evergreens 

 are particularly fine. There are a great many handsome promising 

 young Conifers about the grounds, and among them some very fine young 

 trees of Cedrus Deodara. also two very handsome young specimens of 

 Abies Pinsapo, one about eight and the other about twelve feet high ; 

 both are perfect gems, of the general appearance of which some idea 

 may be gathered from the accompanying representation of one of them. 

 We also noticed a nice healthy plant of Taxodium sempervirens, which 

 has stood out several years unprotected. It is, however, growing in a 

 dry sheltered spot. Cryptomeria japonica has also stood the winters 

 well unprotected. There is also a fine tree of Pinus excelsa ; there are 

 a number of other very flourishing young plants of Conifers in the 

 grounds. 



Approaching the kitchen garden from the pleasure-grounds, there is 

 a conservatory and two plant-houses, in which there was a good display 

 of flowers. Passing from these we entered the kitchen garden, which 

 is extensive and good. Notwithstanding the season, the fruit crops are 

 an average. Peaches, Apricots, Pears, and Plums on the walls are all 

 nearly an average crop ; they have not had any protection whatever. 

 Many of the Apple trees in the open garden, both dwarfs and standards, 

 have a fair crop of fruit, not loaded. We were rather struck with the 

 quantity of Apples in these gardens, as in going to Ribston we passed 

 some orchards that had scarcely a fruit. The cause of the difference 

 we attribute to the trees in Ribston garden being annually attended to 

 in pruning, &c., and the orchard trees being neglected. 



There are two good ranges of glass houses in the gardens, besides 

 pits, &c. Ribston has long been celebrated for its hothouse productions. 

 Mr. Abbott, the head gardener, is a most successful grower of Pines, 

 Grapes, Figs, Peaches, &c. Everything is at present in the greatest 

 possible perfection ; the Pines are exceedingly good : Queens from five 

 to six pounds is an ordinary occurrence at Ribston. We venture to 

 assei't that few, if any, places surpass Ribston for Grapes. We have 

 seen Muscats in many parts of the country, and at many of the 

 metropolitan exhibitions, but have never seen any as good ; we repeat, 

 as good as those we have seen at Ribston ; and at the present time 

 they have some bunches that will weigh four })ounds or upwards. The 

 Black Hamburgh Grapes also are first rate \ many of the bunches will 



